Related

Topics

Late Wednesday night, the state of Georgia executed Troy Davis, a man who had been on death row for 20 years for the murder of an off-duty police officer. Many people doubted Davis’ guilt after seven of nine witnesses in the case changed or recanted their testimony, and a number of people—from the pope and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to former President Jimmy Carter and an ex-FBI director—spoke out against executing a man who could very well be innocent. But as the Davis case held the world’s attention, the only news outlet to broadcast live continuously from the prison grounds on the night of his execution was “Democracy Now!” and its host and executive producer, Amy Goodman, our Truthdigger of the Week.

Goodman stood with protesters outside the execution chambers with camera and crew for what was intended to be a two-hour special but which ended up going for more than six hours. Goodman was there to capture the emotional moment when the crowd learned from NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous that the Supreme Court had issued a (very) temporary stay, and she stayed to interview person after person about any and all details of the night. Her broadcast made more information available to the world in real time than any other news source that night, and her poise and clear-headedness throughout the ordeal brought needed comfort to a distraught audience.

For most people, as Truthdig reader Melissa said, “Amy Goodman’s coverage of the Troy Davis lynching brought the world the only live coverage [and] the only honest coverage. Her fierce dedication is deserving of any journalist award, if they indeed carry merit.”

Non-commercial news needs your support

independent global news

Democracy Now! is a 501(c)3 non-profit news organization. We do not accept funding from advertising, underwriting or government agencies. We rely on contributions from our viewers and listeners to do our work. Please do your part today.

Get Email Updates

News

Democracy Now!

Editions

Follow

Get Email Updates

Democracy Now! is a 501(c)3 non-profit news organization. We do not accept funding from advertising, underwriting or government agencies. We rely on contributions from our viewers and listeners to do our work. Please do your part today.